Prioritizing and Cultivating Friendships

In the last two weeks, I've consciously made a decision to reach out to friends I haven't been much in touch with. The results have been quite productive.

I have two classifications of friends: those I know from school or work and then those that I met in the hospital or outpatient therapy (IOP). I appreciate both. But I feel a certain connection to my friends dealing with mental health issues. Unfortunately, we don't speak much.

However, in the last two weeks I either text or called thirteen people. I've heard back from all but three. It was just a check-in text or call. But about half have resulted in plans to hang out. I'm happy. I'm a very sociable person.

One of my IOP friends expressed an interest in having a closer and more consistent relationship. I'd like that. It's nice to be around people who understand your mental health struggles and successes.

Hopefully I can maintain my friendships better. I like having friends :-)

Mentally Ill Friends

I've met wonderful people in both the hospital and IOP (Intensive Outpatient Therapy).

I've maintained friendships with a few of them. It's great to have a support system in people that have similar experiences. I've appreciated what they've added to my life.

I tried to go to a DBSA support group once. I had a negative experience with it. The next day I was in the hospital. There was no clinician. It was essentially the blind leading the blind. It devolved rather quickly. There were lots of tears. This event triggered a severe manic episode. I talked about stuff that I had only talked about with my therapist. I'm glad I went though because I needed the support. But I have not been back since.